I found this sleepy cat near his makeshift shelter on the side of the road near a homeless camp. It tells the story of friendship between homeless people and their pet cat. Although they have very little for themselves including shelter and food, they have made sure that their cat has food and shelter. In my opinion this is the essence of true friendship.

The original photo was very wide and there was an ugly space between the cat and the makeshift shelter box. There was a lot of trash and weeds etc... I cropped it out to make 2 photos and blended them into one photo so Kitty could be closer to the shelter box. I also used some tools in P.S to make it look a nicer place for Kitty to live in while leaving a few weeds for authenticity.

Thank you to the following groups for featuring Cat in a homeless camp. It is most appreciated. You are awesome.

This is a fine photograph, Denyse; and you did an admirable job of reinforcing its message via editing. It's good of you to point out the fact homeless people take care of their companion animals! Thank you. (I was homeless myself for a time and witnessed the caring attitude you observed. Your compassion for those who've slipped through mainstream society's cracks is greatly appreciated.)

Thank you so much Joe. Because I am surrounded by homeless people here due to the very mild weather here in California. I encounter them each and every day. My husband and I have make food for them on occasion and drive around handing them sandwiches beverages and during the holidays we have purchased lunch bags that I fill with an article of clothing either a pair of socks, a knit hat, a pair of warm gloves or even a rain poncho or some toiletries what ever I can get my hands on cheaply. I also add a few cookies and maybe candy bar and once the bag is full I fold the top down, punch a couple of holes through the flap and thread a ribbon through the holes and tie a nice bow. I draw a big red heart on each one. It is something we all can do, it is really not very expensive at all. You know it can be whatever you can handle even a few cookies will be appreciated for sure and a smile. I always make it a point to smile at the homeless. So many people look the other way. Remember to give them something for their pets as well.

We are all the same Joe it is just that some of us are better at this than others. I am glad you are in a better place now.

I'm very pleased to learn of your kindnesses to homeless people, Denyse. I thank you for caring and—more importantly—helping. Indeed, as you've pointed out, most people just look the other way; and I'm guessing that's because they fear the tiny inner voice which whispers "This might be you!" whenever a homeless person hoves into view.

No matter the manner of their various facades, which they've adopted for many reasons, I believe all homeless people are thankful for every kindness shown them. Some have lost the will to momentarily abandon a tough survival exterior so as to display the small courtesies they once practiced; but if they ever get past their situation of homelessness, such mannerisms will begin to come back to them.

As you surely know, corporations used to help charitable and social-services efforts; but a new generation of executives took over the corporate class during the 1980s, one which insists upon upbeat publicity in exchange for even the most meager help. Plus our increasingly-gentrified urban areas are populated nowadays by those who consider homelessness a blot on "their" city's image, so local mainstream media of communication are discouraged from publicizing anything having to do with homeless people—unless, of course, it's news which reinforces illogical bigotries and worn-out stereotypes pertaining to the unfortunate.

It is a sad commentary on this as you mentioned. I am appalled when I see so many here where I live who have no home, no food and especially no warm clothes when we do get cold and wet weather here. I am also sad for those and many do, who suffer from mental illness and cannot get the help they need including countless veterans. It is a shame on this Country that we do not care for those who served us so valiantly and now so many look away when they see one of them not only homeless but missing limbs. They just walk by their wheelchairs in their rush to spend more money on frivolous Items that will be tossed in the garbage when they get bored with them.

I do hope that the homeless people living there will find a place to live. I am sure they will take the cat with them if they do. The cat is part of their family and as you can see they take very good care of their cat. They do not have a shelter but kitty does. Such an emotional site. I was on a trip so I have no idea what is going on now with them. Sadly this is going on throughout our Country these days with such high unemployment. Hopefully things will improve.

Rest assured that this was not a trap. what I deleted from the photo was mostly trash generated by the homeless people living a few feet away. There was plenty of food and water for the cat. As you can see it is very well fed.